Thailand U23 defeated Vietnam U23 1-0 thanks to a goal in the 22nd second.

Thailand U23 secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Vietnam U23 in their second match of the CFA Team China 2026 friendly tournament. This result is significant not only in terms of points but also helps relieve psychological pressure on Thai youth football after years of being outmatched by their regional rivals.

The game-deciding moment came early on.

The match was decided just 22 seconds into the game after a moment of lapse in concentration from the Vietnam U23 defense. Thanakrit Chotmuangpak seized the opportunity with lightning speed, unleashing a shot that deflected off an opposing defender's leg, leaving goalkeeper Cao Van Binh completely helpless. This early goal shattered the initial tactical plans of both teams.

Siamsports commented that the quick goal helped the young Thai team gain an advantage in the game. Defeating a direct rival in Southeast Asia, especially while undergoing a restructuring process in preparation for the 20th Asian Games, is seen as a positive sign indicating the team's thorough preparation.

The resistance of the Vietnam U23 team and praise from opposing media.

Despite conceding an early goal, the Vietnam U23 team, under the guidance of acting head coach Dinh Hong Vinh, displayed a resilient fighting spirit. Notably, the performance of the red-shirted players received much praise from the Thai media. The Thairath newspaper noted that the Vietnam U23 team was considered slightly superior due to their achievement of reaching the semi-finals of the U23 Asian Championship and winning the gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games.

Meanwhile, Ball Thai praised the potential of the new generation of players: "The Vietnam U23 team has undergone many personnel changes after the SEA Games but still played confidently, especially in the second half. They created many opportunities and showed a very promising generation of players." The coordinated plays between the trio of Cong Phuong, Van Thuan, and Quoc Toan repeatedly penetrated the opponent's defense.

Cao Van Binh's bright spot and the issue of finishing the job.

Goalkeeper Cao Văn Bình was the most outstanding player for the Vietnam U23 team in this match. The captain of the red-shirted team made at least two spectacular saves against shots from Chawalit Saelaow and Kakana Khamyok. Without Văn Bình's excellent performance, the lead would likely have been extended for Thailand U23.

However, the most pressing issue for the Vietnam U23 team remained their finishing. Despite dominating possession and applying relentless pressure in the final 20 minutes, the young strikers lacked the necessary sharpness to convert opportunities into equalizing goals. Efforts from free kicks by Thai Ba Dat and Cong Phuong's shot in the 60th minute only resulted in missed chances.

CFA Team China standings

This defeat temporarily drops Vietnam U23 to the bottom of the standings with 1 point after 2 matches. Conversely, Thailand U23 rises to the top with 4 points, holding a significant advantage in the championship race. This is considered an important morale boost for the Thais after a series of 5 matches against Vietnam where they only managed draws and losses.

The Vietnam U23 team will have one final match against the host nation, China U23, on March 31st. This is an opportunity for coach Dinh Hong Vinh to continue experimenting with the lineup and help young players gain experience before future official tournaments.